Complete Guide to Shipping and Air Freight Surcharge Abbreviations
Freight quotation forms often contain various English abbreviations, such as BAF, THC, PSS, etc., corresponding to different surcharge items. This article organizes common surcharge abbreviations and their meanings by category: "Fuel and Currency, Port and Handling, Route and Region" to help you quickly understand quotations.
1. Fuel and Currency Surcharges
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| BAF | Fuel Surcharge (Bunker Adjustment Factor) | Applied on most routes, with varying standards |
| FAF | Fuel Price Adjustment Surcharge | Routes such as Japan, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, South America, etc. |
| IFA | Temporary Fuel Surcharge | Temporarily used on certain routes |
| EBS / EBA | Representation of fuel surcharge on certain routes | EBS is used for Japan and Australia routes; EBA is used for Africa and Central/South America routes |
| CAF | Currency Depreciation Surcharge (Currency Adjustment Factor) | Charged based on the percentage announced by the shipping company for the current period |
2. Port and Handling Surcharges
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Applicability Notes |
|---|---|---|
| THC | Terminal Handling Charge | Terminal container lifting/loading charges |
| ORC | Original Receiving Charge (Local Export Surcharge) | Similar to SPS, generally used in South China |
| DDC | Destination Delivery Charge | Destination port charges for US/Canada routes |
| PTF | Panama Canal Surcharge | Used on US and Central/South America routes |
| SCS | Suez Canal Surcharge | Used on routes via the Suez Canal |
| PCS | Port Congestion Surcharge | Some ports in Israel, India, and Central/South America routes |
| ACC | Canada Security Surcharge | Canada routes |
3. Route and Regional Surcharges
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| SPS | Shanghai Port Surcharge | Routes calling at Shanghai port |
| YAS | Yen Appreciation Surcharge | Exclusively for Japan routes |
| GRI | General Rate Increase | Used on South America and US routes |
| GRR | General Rate Restoration | One of carriers' peak season adjustment measures |
| RR | Rate Restoration | Similar to GRR |
| PSS | Peak Season Surcharge | Temporarily used during peak season on most routes |
| TAR | Temporary Additional Risks | Temporarily imposed on special risk routes |
| ARB | Arbitrary | Additional charge for transshipment at non-base ports |
| AMS | Automatic Manifest System | Filing fee for US and Canada routes |
| IAP | Indonesia Additional Premium Surcharge | Indonesia routes |
| CUC | Chassis Fee | Lifting and loading/unloading charge for direct transfer between truck and vessel |
Surcharge Usage Tips
Surcharge names often vary by route and shipping line practices; the same fee may have different abbreviations on different routes. Shipping lines may also impose or adjust surcharges temporarily based on market conditions. When receiving a quotation, it is recommended to confirm the name, applicable conditions, and billing method of each surcharge item by item, and verify the meaning of abbreviations with the freight forwarder if necessary.
Further reading: Common ocean freight surcharges and their meanings explains the collection conditions for various surcharges; Basic structure of international container transport costs shows the overall cost composition; Factors affecting container ocean freight rates helps understand the reasons for freight rate fluctuations.
Common Questions (FAQ) About Shipping Surcharge Abbreviations
Q: What do BAF, CAF, and THC on a quotation mean?
A: BAF is the bunker adjustment factor, adjusted with fuel price fluctuations; CAF is the currency adjustment factor, used to compensate for exchange rate depreciation losses; THC is the terminal handling charge (container lifting fee), collected at the destination/origin port. Understanding these abbreviations can help you check the fee items on a quotation.
Q: Why do different routes use different names for the same surcharge?
A: Surcharge names often vary by route and shipping company conventions — for example, fuel surcharges are called BAF on some routes, FAF or EBS/EBA on others; on US/Canada routes, direct additional charges are called DDC. If you see an unfamiliar abbreviation, it is recommended to confirm the meaning and applicable route with your freight forwarder.
Bofeng Logistics specializes in providing one-stop logistics services including domestic container shipping, international shipping (FCL/LCL), Hong Kong and Macau logistics dedicated lines, and trailer customs declaration warehousing, etc. Contact number: 130-7567-8958 (Manager Huang), call now to get a customized quotation!
Disclaimer: This article was compiled by the Bofeng Logistics team and verified as of August 2026. Ocean freight rates, surcharges, port charges and policies may change with market conditions and current carrier requirements; actual charges are subject to the rates published by the carrier or logistics provider at the time of booking.
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